Is Zero a Positive Number?

[Indeependent]

I'm interested in what others think about this.

I was taking a practice exam which outlined a requirement that the value contained in one of the fields in a database table being created could only be "positive". They offered as a solution a check constraint on the field of X >= 0 and wanted me to indicate whether their solution would ensure only positive values would be accepted.

I answered "No" that their solution did not comply with the requirement and my answer was marked as incorrect. To me, it's a no brainer because it should simply be x > 0 however apparently in some cases zero is considered a positive number.

I was just wondering what the average person thinks and why.

TIA...

Zero is an offset, neither - nor +.

 

[Captain Caveman]

There is no -0.

In computers, a one's complement will give a -0

Ouchie, trying to remember what a one's complement is made my brain hurt a bit but I do appreciate your contribution to the conversation. I have an affinity for brainy people

A while ago I was watching Ben Eater making a basic computer on a bread board on YouTube. In one of his video's, he showed why you two's compliment numbers because of the erroneous results from one's compliment.

 

[justinacolmena]

however apparently in some cases zero is considered a positive number.

Really? Are these people normal, or were they held back a few grades in school? I'm guessing fifth grade math at the latest, this would be taught. You don't need to be a genius to get this right.

 

[NewsVine_Mariyam]

however apparently in some cases zero is considered a positive number.

Really? Are these people normal, or were they held back a few grades in school? I'm guessing fifth grade math at the latest, this would be taught. You don't need to be a genius to get this right.

Well you know, things do change however not always for the better

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Zero is positive by definition. An integer that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero, is even. An integer that can be divided by any other integer will have a reminder of one.

 

[JoeMoma]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

 

[petro]

One is still the loneliest number.

 

[cnm]

Zero is positive by definition. An integer that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero, is even. An integer that can be divided by any other integer will have a reminder of one.

I was taught dividing by zero was not a thing.

 

[cnm]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

I reckon.

 

[cnm]

Zero is positive by definition.

So what's your definition of a positive number? We've had one stating a positive number is greater than zero. Ante up.

 

[Chuz Life]

Since zero (0) is a both a real number, a whole number, an even number, an integer so also a rational number, it does not intrinsically carry a sign of its own (the null integer), but as it is also the BEGINNING of the whole number line, it is often also thought of as implying a positive value. So technically, while it satisfies the condition of a positive whole number, the question is not specific enough or give enough information to say so. All we can say for sure is that zero is never negative.

So I consider it a bullshit question that you were given a wrong on a technicality and I would argue that.

Interesting, watching the gif in your signature line, while reading your comments.

In my view, it's a matter of the point of reference.

Even in your gif, "0" (X on your graph) is greater (more positive) than are all of the points that fall below zero.

 

[Devils_Advocate]

Depending if the question was with a 0, +0 or -0 and why this is important is the first 0 is neither positive or negative and can not be considered one way or the other but if you assign a positive or negative symbol then it does change things and here is a Wikipedia page to explain:

Sign (mathematics) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Also found this that might help:

Is zero positive or negative?

Follow up to this question. Is $0$ a positive number?

math.stackexchange.com

Hope that helps...

 

[RoccoR]

RE: Is Zero a Positive Number?
RE: What is the Definition?
⁜→ NewsVine_Mariyam, et al,

BLUF: Zero (Nought) is nether positive (+) or Negative (-).

This is what it was for:
MCSE: Data Management and Analytics - Learn | Microsoft Docs

When I'm the student I proceed under the premise that my instructors know better than I do even though I know that they are not infallible, however I was pretty sure that zero is not a positive number and wanted to see if that is what most other people think as well.

By the way, I was using training materials so I didn't have an instructor I could bring this up to. I guess I could write the manufacturer of the software and let them know that there is an error in the training materials but this all goes away after today so the point is probably now moot.

(COMMENT)

"Zero" is the absence of a value.

In both the {set of all "natural numbers"} and the {set of all "integers"} → ZERO serves as the terminator between negative values and positive values; but holds no characteristic of its own.

The definition and rules behind mathematics are nothing more than useful "algorithms" (not to be confused with truths). But these "algorithms" can change as Sir Issac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz demonstrated when promulgated new rules and moved past Euclidean processes by inventing Calculus as a new process. So it is conceivable that in some future mathematical process, "zero" may take on an entirely new definition; or, possibly be either eliminated or assume a 0' (zero prime) location in dimensional computations.

Just My Thought,

Most Respectfully,
R

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

I was a math teacher, so I can claim expertise in this area, What did I say that was incorrect?

 

[toobfreak]

In my view, it's a matter of the point of reference.

Well, look at it this way: zero is both a starting point and an absolute point: as a starting point, one may count up or down from there so in strict numerical terms, zero is neither positive or negative, it is a null integer; such as having 3 apples and owing 5-- that leaves you with a deficit of 2 or -2, thus the need for negative numbers, but as an absolute point in the realm of math theory, zero itself is something. It HAS to be something otherwise you could not state nor define it. Now, the first thought you have is that how can nothing be something? But look at zero as a "quantity state," a placeholder-- zero is the possibility of something as you cannot have anything without zero. Zero creates the possibility of something because it is a natural, cardinal number, for if you cannot have zero, you cannot have something . . . like an empty bucket--- with an empty bucket you may have an empty bucket or you have the possibility of adding something to it.

But you can't TAKE away anything from zero. There is nothing less than zero in absolute terms in the field of natural numbers, you cannot have less than an empty bucket--- once empty, you cannot have MORE empty. So with zero comes the possibility of a positive gain, so in theory, zero as a natural number carries with it the connotation of a sum gain and implies the potential for a positive, that is why the whole number line and natural line START with zero and zero can be thought of as implying or being intrinsically "positive."

This is all very abstract, purely math theory, so like I said, I'd dispute the question as "it depends," on the framework of the question being better framed as the field of available solutions. The difficulty here is that the creator of the test outsmarted themselves by not really defining the quality state of "zero" IMO.

 

[JoeMoma]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

I was a math teacher, so I can claim expertise in this area, What did I say that was incorrect?

Your first 2 sentences.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

I was a math teacher, so I can claim expertise in this area, What did I say that was incorrect?

Your first 2 sentences.

I note you did not tell me why it is wrong. Is your GED failing you today?

 

[gtopa1]

Just think of all the years they didn't have the number zero.

The proper mathematical uses of zero started in the 7th century by Brahmagupta. He denoted it as a place holder with a symbol of a dot under the numbers. “Zero not only represents nothing but it also represents the starting point of anything”.

The name for the number ‘0’ in English is ‘zero’ which is derived from the Italian word ‘zefiro’. It is called ‘shunya’ in India in the Hindi language and ‘sifr’ in the middle east in the Arabic language. There are many more words that represent zero, such as “nothing, naught, nil, none”.

 

[JoeMoma]

Zero is positive by definition. An even number is any number that can be divided by zero that has a remainder of zero. Since numbers often have a reminder of one. it is thus odd.

What are you drinking tonight?

I was a math teacher, so I can claim expertise in this area, What did I say that was incorrect?

Your first 2 sentences.

I note you did not tell me why it is wrong. Is your GED failing you today?

You didn't ask "Why", you asked "What did I say that was incorrect".
First of all, zero is not positive by definition. Zero is usually considered to be neither positive nor negative. Second, an even number is any number that can be divided by TWO that has a zero remainder. Even and odd numbers have nothing to do with numbers being positive and negative.
Lastly, dividing by zero is "undefined". If there were a prime directive for mathematics, it would be that your never divide by zero.

 

[gtopa1]

I'm with the "undefined" mob re 0 divided by 0. I'm with the neither + nor - mob when it comes to sign. I'm with the smokin' hot chiccy babe!!!!

Greg